Meet Craig Arthur von Schroeder | Founder and CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Craig Arthur von Schroeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Craig Arthur, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started this business, as many founders do, to solve my own problem that wasn’t otherwise being addressed by the market. Way back in 2008, I was a practicing attorney wearing dress shirts and suits everyday. I simply could not find a fitted, slim dress shirt that didn’t blouse up at the waist when I tucked it in. This pre-dated the move to more tailored-looking clothing that has evolved over the last decade. Indeed, there was nothing off-the-rack that worked for me. I wasn’t even a particularly hard fit – I just had much higher standards as to fit and the market had nothing that met these expectations. So I ended up reaching out to a local custom tailor and over time created a ready-made shirt that was trim in the body and sleeves. But in Philadelphia – as in every city – all men are basically underserved by the off-the-rack market. I had made a shirt that fit me and people like me, but so many others with different body types had to compromise fit in their purchases. So I pivoted to offering custom shirts, then onto suits and so much more. All made here in the USA.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While I consider myself a designer of sorts, I have no formal training in the industry. I do, however, have 20+ years of hands-on experience in retail and design. I’ve made every mistake in the book, multiple times. I’ve taken the lumps and the financial hits because I was flying blind. But I kept going. And when you keep going, you live on, you move through challenges. That has made the company’s foundation strong. We’re resilient and know how to survive. That’s what kept us alive through COVID – the ability to think outside of the box and the courage to make moves accordingly. We’re a tailored clothing brand, and while less men wear suits to work, we have expanded our range of custom offerings to include denim, casual clothing like cashmere hoodies, short-sleeved shirts and shorts. Custom clothing is more than simply suiting. Clothing should fit well, no matter what it is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Miami is an electric city of go-go-go vibes. But it’s the chill spots that have my attention. To get the day going, I like to get up early and hit Muscle Beach South Beach on Lincoln Road. It’s free, on the beach, and the ideal spot to get early morning sun and a workout. Then onto Soho Beach House – it has the most relaxed pool in the city. It also has a private beach – with food/beverage service right on the ocean. You can’t beat the people watching and sun at the club. If it’s the weekend, the buffet at the Cecconi’s inside the club is a must. For happy hour, The Swan in the Design District is a cool, hidden gem with a great aesthetic – a must for a chill drink and conversation. For sunset, head to The One’s rooftop. There’s no better view in the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents created an environment that let me explore all of my interests, from soccer, then law and then into fashion. It’s their love and support that have made any success I’ve had in life possible.

Website: www.cmmpusa.com

Instagram: @commonwealthproper

Image Credits
Photography by Danielle Nowak. Model Pablo Maldonado.